Franchise Notes

Emmis Communications CEO Jeff Smulyan said that his bid to
buy the Dodgers along with several TV stations "likely has ended." Smulyan:
"We have ongoing discussions, but I think (News Corp.) will probably sell the
team separately" (J.K. Wall, INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/19).

HOCKEY NEWS: In L.A., Ralph Frammolino, in a front-page
report, examines the "soaring cost of hockey sticks" with the advent of composite
metal sticks. The Kings "shelled out $57,000 more this year" for sticks than
last year. The Wild paid an additional $75,000 and the Mighty Ducks an extra
$100,000 (L.A. TIMES, 5/19)....In St. Paul, Charley Walters reported
that the Wild's postseason run "resulted in the team's season-ticket waiting
list surpassing 7,000, longest in the NHL." The Mighty Ducks' waiting list "is
up to approximately 1,000" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 5/18)....In N.Y.,
Larry Brooks reported that Blue Jackets Owner John McConnell told Doug MacLean
to be "prepared to continue in his dual role of GM and coach next season," as
the Blue Jackets "see no value in making significant changes while anticipating
a 2004-2005 league shutdown" (N.Y. POST, 5/18).

WHO'S THE BOSS?: In N.Y., Bob Raissman noted that MSG's
"Angles" recently
explored the role of team owners, and wrote, "conspicuously left out of
this conversation" was Cablevision CEO James Dolan. While Cablevision was "mentioned,
along with other large corporations that own sports franchises, Dolan's performance
as Knicks and Rangers boss was not analyzed." Host Curt Menefee gave Westchester
Journal-News columnist Ian O'Connor "an opening" to discuss Dolan, when he asked
"specifically about 'local' ownership." O'Connor did not mention Dolan. Raissman:
"Was this an oversight? Or were Menefee and O'Connor reluctant to criticize
Dolan on his own network?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/18).